Auxiliary type device



Feb. 4, 1964 w. P. RYAN ETAL AUXILIARY TYPE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 12, 1961 m is Eb a mmm ww NP.L .R E 2O NAR M M I United States Patent 3,120,302 AUIJLLEARY TYPE BEVEQE William P. Ryan, and G. Lizotte, Winsted, Conn, assignors to Royal Mceee Corporation, New York, NIL, a corporation of New York Filed dept. 12, 1961, Ser. No. 137,579 Claims. wi -13 3b) This invention relates to auxiliary type devices; more particularly it relates to an auxiliary type device characterized by a bar structure adapted to be driven about a fulcrum oy type bars regularly mounted in a typewriter; and specifically it relates to an auxiliary type device characterized by a permanently mounted structure which facilitates the insertion of and insures the proper alignment of an auxiliary type bar structure thereon whereby it may be operated by any one or the regular complement of type bars in a typewriting machine.

Auxiliary type devices have heretofore been advanced as accessories to ypewriting machines to add to the slic tiveness and utility of the typewriting machine by permitting characters, e.g. scientific symbols, not normally found on a typewriter keyboard to be printed.

Such auxilia y type devices that rave so far been advanced have not been altogether satisfactory with regard to requirements such as easy insertion and withdrawal, proper alginrnent, hi h quality printing, and obstruction to visibility, to list a few.

Briefly, the present invention comprises auxiliary type bar structures adapted to be easily and securely fulcrumed on associated mounting devices which are adapted to be permanently secured to the typewriting meet as such a position that they do not obstruct the printing line and which are so constructed as to assure the proper alignment of an auxiliary bar struct re fulcrumed thereon.

More particularly, mounting devices in accordance with the invention are secured on the typewriter type guide structure below the printing line to provide an auxiliary t pe bar fulcrum below the printing line. This arrangement permits auzdliary type bar structures to function when the typewriter, be it of the segment or carriage shift type, is conditioned either for upper or lower case t a rig. Further, mounting de ces in accordance with the invention incorporate an ary bar return springs, and arformed such that in cooperation with associated novel auxiliary bar structures the secure retention of the auxiliary bars is assured as is their proper alignment whereby quality printwork may be accomplished.

An object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary type device of the bar type operable to effect printing by any of the normal complement of type bars in a typewriter.

Another object of the invention is in th prov ion of an aum'liary type bar mounting device which assures the secure retention of and the proper alignment of an auxiliary type bar.

Still another object or" the invention is in the provision of a simple permanently mounted auxiliary type bar mounting device which does not obstruct the printing point or" an associated typewriter.

Still ano her object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary type bar structure and associated mounting device which permits the easy insertion of the au iliary type bar and its withdrawal from operative association with a typewriter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a low cost auxiliary type bar structure and associated mounting device wmch are so mount d and operatively arranged in association with a typewriter as to produce printwork of a quality indistinguishable from the printwork produced by the normal complement of type bars in the typewrite Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view or" an auxiliary type device including an auxiliary type bar and an associated mounting device operatively secured to a typewriter type guide structure;

FIGURE 2 is a View similar to FIGURE 1 showing t e association or" an auxiliary type bar with a regularly mounted type bar;

FlGURE 3 is a front view of the auxiliary type bar mounting device shown in FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view of the mounting device taken along lines 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along lines 5-5 or" FIGURE 3 showing a detail of the mounting device;

FIGURE 6 is a front view of a modified mounting device operatively secured to type guide structure;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of a modified auxiliary bar structure associated with the mounting device of FIGURE 6;

FEGURE 8 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 8% of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary view showing the connection of the type bar to the fulcrum in the mounting device of FIGURE 6.

Referring now to the drawings there is shown in PEG- URES 1 and 2 a conventional typewriter segment it) which supports a fulcrum wire 11 whereon the normal complement of type bars 12 ar mounted. The se ment has secured thereto a type bar guide structure 13, similar to that found in Royal typewriters and whose function is therefore well known in the art. The guide structure is so constructed that a central rectangular opening is formed between vertical legs is. (only one of which is shown) having at their extremities type bar guides 15. An auxiliary type bar mounting device, generally designated by reference numeral 16 is inserted in and secured within the rectangular opening formed by legs in a manner which will hereinafter appear. An auxiliary type bar 17 is provided with a type head 2? bearing preselected characters 23 in upper and lower case positions. The type head is secured in a conventional manner to the rearwardly facing edge of and between the extremities of the type bar 17. The section of the type bar below the type head is formed, as will hereinafter appear, in a manner whereby the bar may be fulcrumed on the mounting de vice. The edge of the auxiliary type bar opposite the type head and intermediate the characters thereon has secured thereto a U-shaped pad 24 which laterally en braces the aux iary type bar. T he dimensions of the pad 24 and the position or" the operatively mounted auznnary type bar is such that the area 25 between upper and lower case characters on the type heads as of the normal complement of type bars 12 are adapted to engage the pad 24 when a type bar 12 is driven, thereby driving the auxiliary type bar about its fulcrum to effect a printing of a special character 23 as illustrated in FZGURE 2.

Referring more particularly now to FIGURES 3-5 the auxiliary type bar mounting device it; comprises a substantially rectangularly shaped body 31 whose lateral dimensions are such that it may be inserted into and secured within ie rectangular opening between legs 14 of the type guide structure in the manner shown in FIGURE 5. Lateral flanges 32 integral with the front surface of the body limit the amount to which it may enter said opening.

As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 the body has a relatively thick rearwardly extending lower portion 33 Whose normal lateral dimension prior to forming is greater than the opening between guide legs 14. A pair of vertical slots 34 are milled in the portion 33 to either side of a vertical center line. Partially threaded holes 35 bored into the front side of the mounting device opposite the slots 34 extend into the portion 33. The holes and slots are thereafter deformed to permit the entry of the body between guide legs 14 as illustrated in FIGURE 5, whereby when screws 36 are threaded into the deformed holes 35 the sections of the body portion 33 outwardly of the slots will expand outwardly against the legs 14 thereby securely and permanently attaching the body to the machine. As is apparent the body is capable of being manipulated vertically to a proper position before securing such that auxiliary type bars 17 operatively mounted therein may be properly aligned. The lower front side of the body 31 is centrally cut away or formed with a central depression having an inwardly disposed surface 38 which recedes toward the rear bottom of the body at a predetermined angle, as shown most clearly in FIGURE 4, thereby to enable, as wiilhereinafter be apparent, the insertion of a selected auxiliary type bar about a fulcrum pin 39 which is mounted in the body and extends across'the opening adjacent the bottom of the mounting device formed by the depression. As seen in FIGURE 3 fiat surfaces 41 formed by the rearwardly projecting portion 33 on either side of the receding surface 38 are provided with vertical holes 42 wherein the ends of an inverted generally U-shaped auxiliary bar return spring 43 is mounted. As shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 the body 31 is formed with a through opening 44 immediately below a centrally located vertical extension 45 having a depression 46 which serves together with the platen to limit the extent of auxiliary bar movement.

Referring again to FIGURES 1 and 2 the section of the auxiliary type bar between the type head and lower end of the bar is split forming a forwardly depending leg 51 having a substantially semi-cylindrical cut 52 in its rearwardly facing edge which is adapted to embrace the fulcrum pin 39 in the mounting body, and a rearwardly depending leg 53 separated therefrom by a predetermined angle whose opening is less than the diameter of the fulcrum pin 39. As leg 53 is relatively narrow it is flexible to the degree that when the opening formed by the angle between the split legs 51 and 53 is placed about the fulcrum pin 39 and the bar is pushed, the leg 53 will flex and snap over the fulcrum pin when the latter seats in cut 52, and the bar will be retained thereon by the spring force of the leg 53. The lower extremity 54 of the leg 51 is adapted to butt against the guide structure under the action of return spring 43 thereby to maintain the auxiliary bar in its normally inactive position as shown in FIGURE 1. As illustrated in FIGURES l and 2 the rearwardly receding surface 38 permits the insertion of the bar and also allows its movement from inactive to active position.

The portion of the bar 17 next adjacent and above the split lower or fulcrum section comprises a projection 55 adapted to enter the opening 44 immediately below the depression 46 of the mounting device whereby it may engage and flex the bar return spring 43. The edge 56 of the bar 17 immediately above the projection 55 is opposite the motion limiting depression 46, and when the bar is operated under the action of a type bar 12 the edge 56 and depression 46 serve to prevent embossing whereby quality printing is accomplished. The upper portion of the auxiliary type bar constitutes a finger tab 57 which may be grasped to insert the bar in a facile manner. On the sides of the finger tab decals 58 or their equivalent indicating the type on the bar may be secured.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the insertion of a bar may be accomplished by a push which securely locks the bar in position. To remove the bar simply requires that it be rotated forwardly and downwardly about its lower extremity 54 which will act as a fulcrum whereby pin 39 will cam the depending leg 53 away from leg 51, overcoming the spring force of leg 53 and opening the legs 51 and 53 to permit withdrawal of the bar without the necessity for any pulling force.

As is apparent, as the mounting body is secured on the guide and the latter is mounted on the segment which is movable between upper and lower case positions, the relationship of the pad to the central area on a type bar head remains unchanged.

Referring now to FIGURES 6-9 there is shown a modified mounting device generally designated by reference numeral-.16 and an associated auxiliary type bar 17 arranged on typewriter guide structure 13' which, to accommodate this embodiment, is modified to the extent that the rectangular opening between legs 14 thereof is extended downwardly; the width of the extended opening being smaller than the upper opening. The rear side of the leg potrions 62 which define the extended opening are formed with inwardly and forwardly extending bevelled surfaces 63 as most clearly shown in FIGURE 8.

The auxiliary type bar mounting device 16' comprises as shown in FIGURE 8 elements 64 and 65'adapted respectively to occupy and to be placed over the extended openin whereby when secured together they sandwich the leg portions 62 of the guide defining the extended opening. More particularly element 64 comprises a rectangul-ar body whose lateral dimension is such that it may be inserted into the extended opening. Lateral flanges 66 extending from the back side of the body as viewed in FIGURE 8 are formed with bevels 67 complementary to the bevelled surfaces of le portions 62 whereby, when the elements are positioned and secured together as by screws 68 threaded into holes 69, which are provided in the elements on either side of a vertical center line, element 64 will be drawn forwardly, and the bevelled surfaces 63 and 67 will engage one another thereby securely sandwiching the leg portions 62 between elements 64 and 65. As is evident from FIGURE 6 the opening defined by the guide legs 14 is not obstructed by the mounting device 16' of this embodiment whereby devices (not shown) behind the guide may be seen and serviced.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE 6 both elements 64 and 65 are formed with slots 71'along a vertical center line. When the elements are assembled the slots are in alignment to provide a channel 72 for the reception of the auxiliary type bar 17'. As shown in FIGURES 6 and 8 the forward surface of the element 64 to either side of its slot 71 has formed therein horizontal recesses 73 dimensioned to receive springs 74 adapted to urge associated ball detents 75 into the channel 72 and in abutting relation to one another. As is apparent from FIGURE 8, element 65 serves to retain the springs and ball detents in place when the elements are secured to the type guide. As clearly illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8 the ball 'detents serve as the fulcrum for the auxiliary type bar. As shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 an inverted U-shaped auxiliary bar return spring 76 is secured in holes 77 provided in the top surface 78 of element 64 and extends toward the cross bar 81 of the guide structure 13'.

The auxiliary type bar 17' as shown in FIGURE-7 differs from that shown in FIGURES l and 2 in the area between the type head and its lower extremity. As shown in FIGURE 7 a section 82 between the type head 19 and the lower extremity 54 extends rearwardly forming a cutback area 83 immediately below the type head 19 whereby the type bar 17 may print without obstruction by the cross piece 81 of the guide, which will however, serve together with the platen to limit the motion of the bar 17 to prevent embossing.

As seen in FIGURES 8 and 9 a pivot hole 86 countersunk to accept the ball detents 75 is provided in the rearwardly extending section 82 immediately above the lower edge 87 formed thereby. As seen most clearly in FIG- URE 9 the lower edge 87 is V-shaped whereby when it encounters the ball detents it will cam them apart until they seat in the pivot hole as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. As in the embodiment of FIGURES 1-5, the lower extremity 54 of the bar is adapted to abut against the guide under the influence of the return spring thereby to maintain the bar in the rest position shown in FIGURE 7. In operation one of the normal complement of type bars will strike the Pad on the auxiliary type bar which will fulcrum about pivot hole to elfect prlnting; the rearwardly extending section storing energy in the return spring during the printing stroke.

As will be appreciated tfirom the above the insertion of a bar is simply eifected by placing the edge within the channel formed by the aligned slots and exerting a down ward push which will earn the ball detents into pivot hole 86, the force of springs 74 or equivalent resilient material producing a rigid fulcrum. Removal of the auxiliary bar may be simply effected by a forward rotation, extremity 54 serving as a fulcrum.

It should be understood that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:

l. The combination with a typewriter of an auxiliary typing device for printing characters not normally accommodated on the keyboard of said typewriter, said typewriter having a segment on which the normal complement of type bars are fulcrumed and a type guide structure secured to said segment, said typing device comprising a mounting device adapted to be permanently adjustably secured to said guide structure below the typewriter printing line without obstructing said printing line, fulcrum means located in said mounting device below said printing line, an auxiliary type bar structure detentably mounted between its ends on and for pivotal movement about said fulcrum means, the upper end of said auxiliary type bar structure having characters secured to one edge and a projection on the edge opposite said characters positioned in the path common to all and adapted to be engaged and to be driven by a selected type bar in said normal complement of type bars to the printing line of said typewriter, means positioned in the path of said auxiliary type bar for limiting its movement toward said printing line, and an auxiliary bar return spring mounted on said mounting device for returning said auxiliary type bar to rest position, said return spring engaging said auxiliary bar below the characters mounted thereon when said auxiliary bar is driven to said printing line by said selected one of said normal complement of type bars.

2. In combination with a typewriter having a segment whereon the normal complement of type bars are mounted for movement toward the typewriter platen, and a type guide structure secured to said segment having spaced legs defining an opening below the printing line of said typewriter, an auxiliary type bar having type characters on one edge and a pad on the edge opposite said characters, an auxiliary type bar mounting device adjustably secured within said guide opening and having a central substantially vertically oriented channel adapted to receive said auxiliary type bar, means secured in said mounting device below said printing line for serving as the fulcrum for said auxiliary type bar when inserted in said channel whereby it may be driven toward the platen when said pad is struck by any one of the type heads on the normal complement of type bars said auxiliary type bars being adapted to be detentably secured on and for pivotal movement about said fulcrum means, means on said guide structure to limit the extent of said auxiliary type bar movement toward said platen, and an auxiliary type bar return spring secured in said mounting device.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said fulcrum mews comprises ball detents and means mounted in horizontal recesses in said mount-ing device for urging said ball detents into said channel, and wherein said auxiliary type bar has a detent hole a predetermined distance below the type characters mounted thereon, and a camming edge whereby said ball detents may be cammed apart and seated in said detent hole.

4. In combination with a typewriter, an auxiliary device for printing characters not normally accommodated on the keyboard of said typewriter, said typewriter having a segment on which the normal complement of type bars are fulcrumed and a type guide structure secured to said segment having spaced legs defining an opening below the typewriter printing line, said auxiliary typing device comprising an auxiliary type bar mounting structure permanently secured within said guide structure opening below the typewriter printing line, fulcrum means in said mounting structure below said printing line, an auxiliary type bar adapted to be detentably mounted between its ends on and for pivotal movement about said fulcrum means, the upper end of said auxiliary type bar having characters secured thereto on the edge facing said printing line and a pad on the edge opposite said characters positioned in the path common to all and adapted to be engaged and to be driven by a selected type bar in said normal complement of type bars from an inactive position to said printing line, stop means positioned to intercept said auxiliary type @bar below said characters as it is driven to said printing line thereby to prevent embossing, the lower end of said auxiliary type bar being adapted to engage said type guide support structure when in its inactive position whereby upon movement of said bar away from said printing line and beyond its inactive position said type bar may be withdrawn from detenting association with said fulcrum means, and resilient means mounted on said auxiliary type bar mounting structure for returning driven auxiliary type bars to inactive position.

5. In combination with a typewriter having a segment whereon the normal complement of type bars are mounted for movement toward the typewriter platen, and a type guide stnucture secured to said segment having spaced legs defining an opening below the printing line of said typewriter, an auxiliary type bar mounting device having first and second body portions disposed in 'front of and behind said type guide structure and means for drawing said body portions together so as to sandwich the legs of said type guide structure, a vertical channel in and intermediate the sides of said body portions adapted to receive an auxiliary type bar with its fulcrum point below said printing line, horizontal recesses in said second body portion defining with said first body portion detent housings on either side of said channel, resilient means in said housings and ball detents urged by said resilient means into said channel, said ball detents being adapted to fulcrum an auxiliary type bar in the path common to all of the normal complement of tyqae bars.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,978,068 Weniger Oct. 23, 1934 2,353,057 Mills July 4, 1944 2,986,993 Gang June 6, 1961 

1. THE COMBINATION WITH A TYPEWRITER OF AN AUXILIARY TYPING DEVICE FOR PRINTING CHARACTERS NOT NORMALLY ACCOMMODATED ON THE KEYBOARD OF SAID TYPEWRITER, SAID TYPEWRITER HAVING A SEGMENT ON WHICH THE NORMAL COMPLEMENT OF TYPE BARS ARE FULCRUMED AND A TYPE GUIDE STRUCTURE SECURED TO SAID SEGMENT, SAID TYPING DEVICE COMPRISING A MOUNTING DEVICE ADAPTED TO BE PERMANENTLY ADJUSTABLY SECURED TO SAID GUIDE STRUCTURE BELOW THE TYPEWRITER PRINTING LINE WITHOUT OBSTRUCTING SAID PRINTING LINE, FULCRUM MEANS LOCATED IN SAID MOUNTING DEVICE BELOW SAID PRINTING LINE, AN AUXILIARY TYPE BAR STRUCTURE DETENTABLY MOUNTED BETWEEN ITS ENDS ON AND FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT SAID FULCRUM MEANS, THE UPPER END OF SAID AUXILIARY TYPE BAR STRUCTURE HAVING CHARACTERS SECURED TO ONE EDGE AND A PROJECTION ON THE EDGE OPPOSITE SAID CHARACTERS POSITIONED IN THE PATH COMMON TO ALL AND ADAPTED TO BE ENGAGED AND TO BE DRIVEN BY A SELECTED TYPE BAR IN SAID NORMAL COMPLEMENT OF TYPE BARS TO THE PRINTING LINE OF SAID TYPEWRITER, MEANS POSITIONED IN THE PATH OF SAID AUXILIARY TYPE BAR FOR LIMITING ITS MOVEMENT TOWARD SAID PRINTING LINE, AND AN AUXILIARY BAR RETURN SPRING MOUNTED ON SAID MOUNTING DEVICE FOR RETURNING SAID AUXILIARY TYPE BAR TO REST POSITION, SAID RETURN SPRING ENGAGING SAID AUXILIARY BAR BELOW THE CHARACTERS MOUNTED THEREON WHEN SAID AUXILIARY BAR IS DRIVEN TO SAID PRINTING LINE BY SAID SELECTED ONE OF SAID NORMAL COMPLEMENT OF TYPE BARS. 